This guide provides tips and resources for parents, carers and families to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in their care during the school holidays. This includes services to reach out to if more support is needed.

Actions that support positive mental health

Encourage your child or young person to:

Exercise and eat healthily to boost their mood
Prioritise sleep to support mental and emotional wellbeing
Explore relaxation techniques and coping strategies
Stay in touch and catch up with friends and loved ones
Make time to do things they enjoy
Practice positive self-talk, and remind them they are not alone
Engage in healthy online habits
Seek professional help if needed.[1]

The department has developed wellbeing activities and conversation starters for parents and carers of primary school-aged children and secondary school-aged children.

Feeling it: mindfulness resources and activities for secondary students. Smiling Mind gives tips on self-care, understanding and managing emotions, being mindful, being kind to yourself, navigating uncertainty and preparing for change.

Signs a child or young person may need mental health support

In some cases, these actions will not be enough to support positive mental health.

Keep an eye out and seek professional help for changes that last two or more weeks such as:

Loss of interest or involvement in activities normally enjoyed
Feeling ‘low’, unusually stressed or worried
Doing ordinary things gets harder
Being easily irritated or angry
Taking more dangerous risks, like using alcohol or drugs
Withdrawal or feeling overwhelmed
Difficulties with concentration and motivation
Having a lot of negative thoughts
Changing sleeping and eating habits.[2]

Young people supporting each other

Young people are most likely to turn to each other for support before seeking out an adult or service provider.

Young people can support each other by:

contacting 000 if a friend needs urgent assistance or is at risk of harming themselves or others
reaching out to a friend, offering support and letting them know you care
letting their friend know they may need to tell a trusted adult about their concerns.

Having these types of conversations can be difficult for young people. Information for young people on how to support a friend is available via:

headspace: How to help a friend going through a tough time
the Mental Health and Wellbeing Toolkit: If you or a friend need help with mental health

Mental health resources

Supporting your young person during the holidays (headspace)
Mental Health and Wellbeing Toolkit (Department of Education)
- Raising Learners Podcast Series: providing expert advice and information to parents and carers on topics including how to keep your child safe online
- Understanding mental health – fact sheet (Orygen)
- Learn how to handle tough times (headspace)
- Get into life (to keep your headspace healthy) (headspace)

Online wellbeing and safety

Safe Socials (Department of Education)
- Fact sheet – parents of primary students
- Fact sheet – parents of secondary students
ScrollSafe (Orygen)
- Parents and carers hub
Social media age restrictions (eSafety Commissioner)

Mental health support

Contacting 000 for urgent assistance
Your local GP for a mental health plan and referrals
headspace Counselling: Young people aged 12-25 can access counselling services from headspace. During the holidays, students can call their local headspace centre
eheadspace: 1800 650 890 www.headspace.org.au/eheadspace
Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 www.kidshelpline.com.au
Lifeline: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 www.beyondblue.org.au
Head to Health: 1800 595 212 www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au/head-to-health-clinics-victoria
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Self‑harm and suicide prevention resources

Getting a mental health care plan (ReachOut)
What you need to know about self-harm (headspace)
How to help when someone is suicidal (SANE Australia)

Family violence support and resources

Safe Steps: 1800 015 188 www.safesteps.org.au
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 www.1800respect.org.au
What’s okay at home: www.woah.org.au
Family violence support resources

TheirCare